Automotive

The Spartan Ducati V-twin track car

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A kerb weight of 350 kg enables go-kart handling
The world champion smartcar uses a Suzuki Hayabusa motor
The world champion smartcar uses a Suzuki Hayabusa motor
The world champion smartcar uses a Suzuki Hayabusa motor
The world champion smartcar uses a Suzuki Hayabusa motor
A kerb weight of 350 kg enables go-kart handling
This is a smartcar with a Yamaha R1 1000cc engine I spotted at Frankfurt Motor Show
The Yamaha R1 1000cc engine I spotted at Frankfurt Motor Show
Yamaha engine in a smart car
Yamaha engine in a smart car
Yamaha engine in a smart car
The world champion smartcar uses a Suzuki Hayabusa motor
Yamaha engine in a smart car
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The T-REX three wheeler is offered with multiple engines, this one has a Kawasaki ZX1400 motor
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
The Spartan
View gallery - 42 images

We see many small one-off cars with high-performance motorcycle engines, but there has never been one quite like the Spartan. The Spartan uses Ducati's 1198 cc V-twin in a light race chassis. The engine that won this year's World Superbike title sits just behind the driver's left ear ... it appears to be the perfect four-wheeled execution of the Ducati ethos.

Most custom builders use in-line Japanese four cylinder engines which can produce meaty 200 bhp powerbands. In the image gallery for this article you'll see several examples of lightweight, high performance three and four wheelers - including four images of the car that won the world smartcar drag race championship which uses a Suzuki Hayabusa engine.

The Spartan

The Spartan puts Ducati's 170 hp (106kW) 1198 cc V-twin into a mid-engined, race chassis so light it can hit 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds. The engine's desmodromic valve gear and induction trumpets sit just behind the driver and passenger and must surely play some of the sweetest music ever to come out of an internal combustion engine.

The Spartan

The Ducati's muscular mid-range is perfect for a track day car and with the very same engine that powered Carlos Checa to this year's World Superbike title in a 350 kg package, it accelerates, stops and changes direction very easily.

The Spartan

The general consensus of those who have driven the Spartan, is that it lives up to its claim of being at one with the driver. We'll save the rest of the story until we get a chance to take it for a spin.

In the meantime, for those in the vicinity, the Spartan will be shown at the Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter in Australia from November 25-27.

View gallery - 42 images
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6 comments
robinyatesuk2003
oh dear, the news of this has caused a major rethink. I was going for the new Morgan 3 wheeler but this Ducati engined Spartan is like manna from heaven.The engine and induction roar is addictive. So what will my decision be ?
reholmes
The Berkeley resurrected.
Duane Phillips
Great idea. Now if only they produced a less pricey version- say, with a fibreglas body and a Harley motor- some of us might be able to buy one.
BombR76
A Ducati engined sports car, . . . WOW !!!
However an Italian super bike engine in a Greek city-state name? Interesting mix.
Still a super-sexy idea and concept.
We are Spartan! Will only 300 be made?
VoiceofReason
@Robin. I would prefer the Morgan.. I wouldn\'t pay them 50K for the Morgan, but I like it better. This is just a uniquely engined car. The Morgan is a classic with an update. Plus I would love the look one many of the faces as you blow their doors off on three wheels.
Cowfy Kaufman
abarth is long dead,or as inclosed by the fiat octopus loooong in the tooth. hurray for the ducati spartan.